williams



E Na (Mode-1.)

'3 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. J. WILLIAMS.

BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOB SEWING MACHINES.

No. 374,918. Patented Dec. 13, 1887.

It PETERS, PhohrLilho nphcr. Wanhiliglon. D, C

(ModeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. H. J. WILLIAMS. BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES.

Patented Dec. 13

N. PEIEIIS. Phalolihognphor. Wnh'nginn. D. C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(ModeL) H. J. WILLIAMS.

BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES.

Patented Dec. 13,1887.

r1. PEIERS, Pholcrumompher. Wampum. \10.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY J. WILLIAMS, OF NEW YORK, -N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE HARRIS BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BUTTON-HOLE ATTACH MENT FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

F$-PECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 374,918, dated December 13, 1887.

Application filed September 13, 1886. Serial No. 213,388. (ModeL) Zo aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY J. WILLIAMs, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain .new and useful Improvements in Button Hole Attachments, which are fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan View of my improved attachments and parts immediately connected therewith. Fig. 2 is a front View of the same. Fig. 3 is a reverse view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an end View; Fig. 5, a reverse end view. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal central section. Figs. 7 to 24, inclusive, represent detail views of parts. Fig. 25 shows an eyelet-shaped-end buttonhole.

In each of the views similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates to improvements applicable to button-hole attachments for sewingmachines of the class adapted to work either straight button-holes or those having eyeletshaped ends; and it has for its object the simplification of such devices, while at the same time greater accuracy, speed of execution, and elegance of finish are obtained.

15y my'invention I am enabled to make a straight button-hole or an eyelet-shaped-end button-hole with the same attachment without removing the attachment from the machine.

A represents the button-hole attachment.

B is the bed-plate of the attachment.

O is the feed-plate.

D is an adjustable lever, which, in connection with the triangular-shaped cam a and a movable fulcrum pin, 1), causes a lateral movement of the feed-plate, and also deterinines the width of the bitein connection with other mechanism. The fulcrum pin 1) is adapted to operate in conjunction with alinkpiece, 0. lVhen the fulcrum-pin 1) moves forward nearer to the link-piece c, a narrow bite is effected. Vhen it is moved backward near the cam a, it will cause a wide bite. The fulcrum-pin 2) passes through a slot in the lever D, and also through a small washer, d, placed between the bed-plate B and the lever D, and also through a V-shaped sliding nut, 0, working in a beveled-shaped slot, f, in the bedplate B. The link 0 is connected with the lever D, and is guided in its endwise reciprocation in a long slot in thebridge-piece E. To the other end of this device is applied a nut, g, which nut is secured by a screw and plays in a slot, h, in the feed-plate O.

F is a crankiever, the outer end of which is operated by a pin, (not shown,) carried by the needle-bar of the machine, and the other end of this lever F is connected to a lever, G, which, in conjunction with other devices hereinafter explained, causes all the movements of the attachment. To the lever G is secured a pawl, 13, which engages with a six-toothed ratchet-wheel, H, secured to the bed-plate B by means of a screw, it, operating the triangular-shaped cam a, which works in a slot,

j, thereby giving a vibratory motion to the lever D. (See Fig. 15.) On the securingscrew of the ratchet-wheel H, I arrange a diskshaped tension-plate, Z, for the purpose of controlling the motion of the ratchet-wheel H. To the end of the lever G, I connect a screw by means of which the said lever is connected with an arm, I, arranged beneath the ratchetwheel J. Upon the arm I is a pawl, m, and also a check spring, n, which retain the ratchetwheel J.

K is the feed-regulator and check-spring for feeding the wheel J, the operation ofwhich is as follows:

By moving the feed-regulator forward or backward in relation to the ratchet-wheel J v the pawl at will be allowed to engage with any number of teeth required for a coarse or fine feed. The feed-regulator K is adj ustably connected to a sliding plate, L, by means of a screw, 0, passing through a slot in the feedregulator K. An adjustable screw, 0, is arranged in the rear of the feed-regulator K for the purpose of controlling the position of the same by sliding it relatively to the screw 0. The ratchet-wheel J is controlled by a hub, 12, carried by the sliding plate L, and a boss, p and pinion p. The pinion p by its rotation allows the series of pins F to pass from one side of the pinion p to the opposite side, thereby causing the feed-plateC to move backward or forward, as the case may be. The pins 19 are carried by the feed-plate, being connected therewith, as farther on explained, and the pinion works in the feed-plate formerslot 2, shown as provided in an extension of the feed-plate formed by the plate 0.

The sliding plate L plays in a slot formed in the piece M of the bed-plate, which is provided at its outer end or projecting portion with an eccentric, N, embraced by an opening or eccentric-strap of the sliding plate in an obvious way. The hub formed on or affixed to the ratchet-wheel J passes through the sliding plate L and causes the ratchetwheel J and pinion 19, attached thereto, to move with the ptate L, which is operated by the eccentric N from one side of the center line to the other as the pins p move around to form the end of the button-hole. This operation will determine the contour of the button-hole to be made.

The mechanism for driving the eccentric is as follows: A post, a, passing through the eccentric N, is secured in place by means of a screw, of, passing through the plate M. A crank. it, is attached to the upper end of the post a by means of ascrew, M, and at its outer end this crank is connected with a link, a, by a screw, it, passing through a slot in the link and controlled by a long adj usting-screw, it. Another slot, a in the link a is provided with a steadyingpost, a, secured to the sliding plate L, and provided with a tensionspring, a, secured in position by a screw, a, which causes the link a to retain its relative position while the slot or of the gnide-plate O of the feed-plate is traversing the stud n, which is attached to the end of the link it.

I The guide-plate O is slotted, as shown in Fig. 12, for the purpose of allowing the pinion p and pinsp" to operate therein. The plate 0 is attached to feed-plate C, and is secured by means of screws, and on the guide-plate is applied a pin-plate, P. The guide-plate O is provided with a sliding guide, a, at one end, while at its opposite end it is provided with a recess for the reception of an end-forming section, a. (Shown clearly by Figs. 18, 20, and 21.) This end-forming section a is removable, and a series of them may be employed and placed in position as desired, so as to change the contour of the end of the button-hole.

The section a with its cooperating stud carried by the plate Q, (shown by Figs. 18, 20, and 21,) is adapted for making a straight button-hole when placed in position, while the interchangeable section a, with its cooperatingstud carried by the plate Q, Figs. 19,22,and 23,when secured in the plate 0 in a similar po sition, will produce an eyelet-shapedend button-hole. The section n admitting the pinion p to pass around a large stud, n, is shown clearly by Figs. 22 and 23, allowing the boss p of the pinionpto force the guide-plate O away from the center line, which action is transmitted to the other end of the feed-plate 0, thereby forming an eyelet-shaped end to the buttonhol'e, as shown in the drawings by Fig. 25.

' These sections a and a are secured in position by means of a screw, 0 which passes through the stud-carrying plate Q or Q and through the pin-plate P, and is screwed into the sections it or n, as the case may be.

The object of the sliding guide a is to make a long or short button-hole by moving the part backward or forward, as the case may be, so as to come in contact with the boss on the pinion p, to keep the pinion p in contact with the pins p while passing around the end of the button-hole guide.

In order to secure the sliding guide a to the pin-plate P, I arrange a spring-post, 1', which fits into holes in the sliding guide a when-the same is in position; The pin-plate P is secured to the guide-plate O by means of screws. The pin-plate P is provided with a series of pinholders formed by blocks 0', and the pins p are rigidly secured in the holders and project below them and pass through holes in the pin-plate adapted to keep the pins in position. The rear hole, W, in the pin-plate P is by preference formed larger than the remainder, for the purpose of placing a pin or stud, as shown by Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10, for transforming the attachment at will into a straight or eyelet-shapedend-formed device.

Most of the pins 12 are rendered adjustable, so as to be thrown into and out of operation by moving the pin-blocks up or down. In order to secure the pin-blocks when lifted up or down, I arrange a post at each end of the series of adjustable pin-blocks. One post, 1, at the rear end contains one or more pins p as the case may be, while the other post, r. has no pin and is employed for holding the check-rod R. Both posts are fastened on the pin-plate and have a hole, 0"", through them at their upper ends, through which I place the check-rod, as shown in the drawings. The part of the check-rod It that passes through the pin-block r is cut away on opposite sides to allow the pinblock to pass up and down when the check-rod is adjusted, so that it may pass through a space, s, or narrow way conneeting two holes, 5 and 3 forming the enlarged upper and lower portions of the openr ing for the check-rod in the pin-block. After passing either up or down, I turn the checkrod quarter-way around, as shown by Fig. 11, thereby holding the same in position.

To the feed-plate I attach an arm, S, extending out to one side, which is by preference secured at one end to the cloth-plate by screws, and at the other end I arrange a post, i, which supports the yielding cloth-clamp t and spring 16 spring t serving to lift the cloth-clamp i when it is desired to remove the work. The cloth-clamp is spring like or sufficiently yielding to perform its functions in proper way,and is provided with a serrated foot, t The cloth clamp shank is slotted and fits over the post t, and also fits into a notch in the post for the purpose of holding it in position. From the top of the post I arrange a small eccentric-lever, t, which is employed in connection with the clothclamp t for the purpose of clamping the work while in position.

shown.) This'action of the lever Fcauses the pawl-lever G to move backward and forward, thereby effecting the lateral movement and also the longitudinal feed movement of the device, the resultant compound or zigzag movement being effected at a point of time when the needle is out of the goods. The lateral movement is obtained by the turning of the V-shaped cam a around one tooth on the ratchet-wheel H, which will cause one ac tion. a

In order to adjust my device to make wide or narrow button-holes, I move the fulcrumpin 1) nearer to or farther from the cloth-clamp. To produce a narrow bite the fulcrumpin is brought nearer to the cloth-clamp, while fora greater bite it is moved backward nearer to the ratchet. \Vhenever the fulcrum-pin is moved forward or backward, it is secured firmly in position, as herein explained.

At the end of the zigzag lever D is a small link connected to the feed-plate C by means 'of screws and a sliding block, which works in a groove in the feedplate. The longitudinal action of the feed is caused by moving the ratchet-wheel J around. This ratchet-wheel is provided with a pinion, p, which comes in contact with one or more pins, 1), and a guide,

it, arranged on the feed-plate, the said guide serving to keep the pinion in contact with the pins 1)", thereby causing the feedplate to move forward or backward, as desired.

In moving around the end of the button- .hole I operate the stitches,so as to make them more compact, by means of an eccentric. N, which is connected to the feed-plate O, as shown by Figs. 1 and 5, by means of a link, a, operated by the crank 12?, arranged on the top of the eccentric, said link working in the guideway 01,, formed by an elongated groove at the side of the feed-plate O. \Vhen passing around the end of the button hole as the feedplate is forced to one side, it also carries with it the link, which is connected to the eccentric. The movement of the eccentric also moves the slide-plate supports, carrying the ratchet-wheel J and pinion p to one side of the center line, which action is transmitted to the forward end of the feed-plate through the fulcruin-pin block, which works on the link and also in the elongated groove h in the feed plate. This movement is also employed in making wide or narrow cutting-space in the button-hole by turning the small screw at the end of the link out to any desired extent. The feed-plate will then shift from one side to the other of the center line without affecting the eccentric, which will cause a wide space to be left in the center of the button-hole. By turir ing the little thumb-screw if so that it is drawn in it will cause the link a to come in contact with the screw in the crank of the eccentric, which will move the eccentric more or less, according to the extent to which the screw is turned, thereby securing the desired width of spacein the center of the button-hole. The small tensionspring a on the top of the post passing through the link is arranged for the purpose of giving a steady motion to the feed-plate while passing up and down each side ofa button-hole,and also for taking up any lost motion which would otherwise occur between the pinion-pins and the guide. small slide-guide, which works in the long guide in the feed-plate, is for the purpose of keeping the pinion at all times when passing around the front end of the button-hole in proper contact'with the pin.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the bed-plate, the feedplate carrying a cloth-clamp and having the slot h and the former-slot, the cranked actuatinglever, the endwise-reciprocating lever pivotally connected at one end with said actuating-lever, mechanism actuated by connection with the opposite end of the recipro ca ting lever for imparting longitudinal movement to the feed-plate, the pawl pivoted to the reciprocating lever between its ends, and mech' anism actuated thereby for imparting lateral movement to the feed-plate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the bed-plate, the fecdplatc having a clothclamp and longitudinally slotted at h and provided with a formerslot, the endwise-reciprocating lever, means for actuating it, the pawli,carried by the lever, the ratchet actuated thereby, the cam turning with the ratchet, the adj ustably fnlcrumed lever having a slot in which the cam works, the link connected at one end with the adjustably-fulcrumed lever and with the opposite end of which the feed-p1ate has connection by way of its slot, and the guideway for the link, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the bed-plate, the

feedplate having the slot h and provided with the former slot, the endwise reciprocating lever, means for actuating it, the pawl m, op-

erated by the reciprocating lever, the ratchet actuated by this pawl, the bossed pinion of the ratchet, the sliding plate in a groove of the bed-plate and carrying the ratchet, the pins carried by the feedplatc and actuated by the ratchet-pinion, and the automatically-actuated eccentric crank and link mechanism,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. Thecombinationofthebed-plate,thefeedplate having the former-slot and provided with the side guideway, the ratchet J, having the boss and pinion, mechanism for intermittingly actuating the ratchet, the sliding plate carrying the ratchet, the eccentric engaging with the sliding plate, the eccentric-crank, the adjustable link-connection between said crank and the side gnideway of the feed-plate, and thepins carried by the feed-plate and actuated by the ratchet-pinion, substantially as and for The ' feed-plate having the former-slot, the ratchet J, having the boss and pinion, mechanism for actuating the ratchet, the series of verticallymovable pin-blocks, each having the holes and narrow connecting way through them from side to side, the fixed posts at opposite ends of the series of movable pin-blocks, and the check-rod cutaway on opposite sides, passing through the holes in the pin-blocks and adj ustably supported bysaid fixed posts, substan tially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination of the bed-plate, the feed-plate having the former-slot and provided with the side guideway, the eccentric, the sliding plate in a groove in the bed-plate and engaging the eccentric, the pins carried by the 

